press charges
idiom
: to take legal action against someone : to officially accuse someone of a crime
He was caught shoplifting, but the store owner didn't press charges.
Examples of press charges in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rather than press charges, Edna’s daughter offers Finn an alternative path to make things right.
—
Matt De La Peña, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Whether or not Brown will press charges against the alleged thief remains unknown.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Authorities investigated the officer who struck the suspect and decided not to press charges.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
His account of events was inconsistent, but investigators did not have enough evidence to press charges, the department said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
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Matt De La Peña, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Whether or not Brown will press charges against the alleged thief remains unknown.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Authorities investigated the officer who struck the suspect and decided not to press charges.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
His account of events was inconsistent, but investigators did not have enough evidence to press charges, the department said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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